Suction cleaner



Au 1944- I J. H. NUFFER ETAL 2,355,322

SUCTION CLEANER Filed Sept. 25, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheec' l rte 0% ogy 4272 fidfazta I (Ittorneg Aug. 8, 1944.

J. H. NUFFER ET AL SUCTION CLEANER 2 Sheets-Sheet? Filed Sept. 25, 1942 3m entors ae 7Y.%z%r 0W 7760324 v (Ittorneg Patented Aug. 8, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT orrica 2.355.322 SUCTION CLEANER Joseph H. Nufler, Toledo, Ohio, and Lynn, H. Latta, Deerfleld, Ill., assignors to Air-Way Electric Appliance Corporation, Toledo, Ohio, a

corporation of Delaware Application September 25, 1942, Serial No. 459,606

This invention relates to suction cleaners of 1 Claim.

, the type in which an elongated, relatively narrow end of the barrel, to a point at the upper end of the barrel from which it may deliver the dust laden air stream into the mouth of the receptacle which is located near the upper end'of the barrel.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a cleaner of this type which is so constructed that the insertion and removal of the dust collecting receptacle may be accomplished with a maximum of ease and dispatch. More specifically,

1 the invention aims to provide an arrangement, in

a cleaner of the type indicated, wherein movement of the cover-handle unit to an open position will give access to the dust collecting receptacle which is left in the barrel with its upper end exposed at the mouth of the barrel and which may then be simply lifted out of the barrel and transferred to a waste receptacle. The invention further contemplates an arrangement, in a cleaner of the type indicated, wherein a new dust receptacle may be applied simply by inserting the same in the barrel and then movingthe cover-handle unit to a closed position, this latter movement serving to simultaneously secure the mouth end of the receptacle in supported relationship in the barrel and to establish a connection between the dust delivery tube and the mouth of the receptacle.

Another basic object of the invention is to provide a cleaner oi the type indicated in which the cleaning tube, suction unit, and cover-handle unit form symmetrical, streamlined continuations of the barrel at the respectiveends thereof, with all parts encompassed substantially within the extended cross sectional area of the barrel. Thus considering the cover-handle unit as an extension of the barrel, the invention contemplates an arrangement wherein the dust receptacle is exposed by breaking the barrel in a transverse plane intermediate its ends.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a cleaner of the type indicated, an arrangement wherein the cover-handle unit incorporates an elbow duct one arm of which is adapted, when the cover-handle unit is closed, to establish a connection with the upper end of the dust delivery tube to receive the dust laden air current therefrom and the other arm of which terminates in a delivery nozzle adapted, when the cover-handle unit is closed, to establish a connection with the mouth of the receptacle for delivering the dust laden air downwardly therethrough into the rein which the suction unit motor cord is encased within the barrel and within the cover-handle unit, entering the cleaner through the end of the handle. To this end, the cord is threaded through the hinge which connects the cover-handle unit to the barrel so as to permit the cover-handle unit to be opened.

Other and further objects of the invention will occur to those skilled in the arts to which this invention pertains as the description proceeds which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, sets forth a preferred embodiment and selected modifications are not to be construed as limitations of the invention but only as illustrative thereof and any and all modifications, alterations and variations of structure coming within the spirit and scope of the appended claim which limit and define the instant invention are deemed to be included herein.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partially in section, of a suction cleaner embodying the invention;

Fig, 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of adjacent portions of the barrel and cover-handle unit; c

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the barrel taken as indicated by th line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the hinge, taken as indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the receptacle end member;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cleaner embodying a modified form of the invenion;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view through the hinge thereof taken as indicated by the line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

' in a delivery nozzle 58 adapted to F18. 8 is a transverse sectional view thereof taken as indicated by the line 8-3 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is an end view of the suction unit portion of the cleaner with the barrel removed, and

Fig. 10 is a detailed sectional view of adjoining portions of the delivery nozzle and barrel mouth.

As an example of one form in which the invention may be embodied, we have shown in Figs. 1 to inclusive a suction cleaner including a barrel I8, a cleaning tool, suction unit I2, a dust receptacle I4 within the barrel I8, and a coverhandle unit I8, hinged to the upper end of the barrel. A handle I8 forms the upper end portion of the unit I8.

The cleaning tool suction unit I2 includes a fan casing 28, an electric motor 22 for operating the fan (not shown) which is disposed within the casing '28, an inlet boss 24 in the casing 28, and a cleaning tool 28 secured in the boss 24. The motor 22 and fan casing 28 are arranged coaxially, with the inlet 24 extending downwardly and forwardly and the motor 22 extending upwardly and rearwardly and received in the lower end of the barrel I8. The fan casing 28 has at its upper extremity a flange 28 in which the lower end of the valve I8 is received and secured.

Attached to the fan casing 28 is an outlet scroll terminating in an upwardly and rearwardly directed outlet 38 which is crescent shaped in cross section, lies above the motor 22, partially embracing the same, and is received within the lower region of the barrel I8. Attached to the outlet 38 is the lower end of a dust delivery tube 32 which in cross-section is the shape of a segment of a circle as shown in Fig. 3, the upper wall 32 thereof being arcuate and fitted against the inner surface of the barrel I8 while the lower wall 44 thereof is fiat. The wall 44 cooperates with that portion of the wall of the barrel I8 which lies below the tube 32, to define a chamber I5 in which the receptacle I4 is encased.

The cover-handle unit I8 48 and a dome member handle I8 being formed as an integral portion of the dome member 58. It is contemplated that the dome member 58 may be of molded, colored plastic composition while the casting 48 is of 58 secured thereto, the

comprises a casting metal. The casting 48 includes a rim portion 52 and the elbow duct 54 one arm 58 of which merges with the rimmed portion 52 and the other arm of which is connected to the rim 52 by a web portion as shown. Said other arm terminates be received in the mouth of the dust receptacle I4. The intermediate portion of the elbow duct 54 may if desired be enlarged to form a vortex chamber 58 the top of which comprises a transparent disc 88 protruding through an opening 82 in the dome 58 and permitting the operator to observe the swirl of dust in the chamber 58. A curved tubular portion 84 connects the bottom of the chamber 58 to the discharge nozzle 58.

The upper end of the barrel I 8 is provided with a spider including a peripheral flange portion 38 in which the upper end of the barrel is received and secured and a transverse web portion 38 which supports the lower wall 44 of the tube 32 at the upper end of the latter, said upper end being confined between the web 38 and the adjacent, opposed portion of the flange 38.

The flange 38 is formed with a peripheral channel 88 and the web portion 38 is formed with a 7 channel 12. A sealing ring 88 of soft rubber or 88 and has a transverse web portion 18 mounted in the channel 12. (See Fig. 4.)

The rimmed portion 82 of the cover-handle unit I is adapted to seal against the ring 88, and the gagement of the cover-handle unit with the ring 88 and partially by engagement of a peripheral flange 14 of the end member 18 of the receptacle I4. The end member 18 has a mouth opening I8 to receive the nozzle 58. The nozzle 88 is encircled by and carries a sealing ring 88 of soft rubber, abutted against a shoulder 82 on the nozzle and serving to form a sealing connection between the nozzle and the end member.

The end member 18 is of relatively stifi, form retaining material and is preferably of inexpensive material such as stifi kraft paper, while the body portion of the receptacle I4 is of air porous paper, so that the entire receptacle may be dis- ,posed of when filled. The end member 18 is dished to provide a flange 88 which is received within the body portion of the receptacle and secured thereto as by stitching.

The cover-handle unit is hinged to the barrel I8 by means of a hinge including a portion 82 formed integrally with the spider flange 38 and a portion 84 formed integrally with the casting 48. A pintle 88 connects the two hinged portions. Diametrically opposite the hinge is a latch including a latching element 98 arranged to engage a hook I88 upon the casting 48, and pivoted to the "spider member 38.

The motor cord I82 is extended from the motor 22 upwardly through a channel I86 formed in the upper wall 42 of the tube 32, is threaded through the hinge 82, 84 as shown in Fig. 2, is thence extended upwardly through the dome 58, and connects at its upper end with a switch I84 in the handle I8. A service cord I88 extends from the switch I84 through the end of the handle I8.

The barrel I8 is provided with apertures 48 through which the air escaping from the receptacle I4 is discharged. In the operation of the cleaner, dust laden air is drawn upwardly through the floor tool 28 into the suction unit I2 and thence discharged upwardly through the delivery tube 32. From the upper end of the tube 32 it is directed through the elbow 54 into the receptacle I4, wherein it falls to the lower end thereof. The lower end of the receptacle is supported on a partition I 88 secured in the barrel I8.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive, the fan case II8 houses a fan H2 and the inlet II4 thereof is directed upwardly and communicates with the interior of the barrel II8 which is imperforate so that a sub-atmospheric pressure may be established in the barrel by the fan H2. The fan and fan case H8, H2 are mounted in a compartment II8 of the housing I28 attached to the lower end of the barrel. Formed in the housing I28, but not communicating with the compartment I I8, is a duct I 22 which communicates at its lower end with the cleaning tool I24 and at its upper end with the delivery duct I28 extending upwardly through the barrel I I8. The duct I28 may in this instance be formed directly between the wall of the barrel H8 and a partition wall I28 extending transversely across the barrel in the upper region thereof and secured thereto as by welding. (Fig. 8.) Between the partition wall I28 and the lower portion of the barrel wall is formed the receptacle chamber m, in which is mounted a screen no within which the dust receptacle I32 of porous paper is supported and maintained spaced away from the' walls of the chamber I28.

To the upper end of the barrel H8 is secured a spider I34 having a webbed portion I88 for supporting the upper end of the partition I28.

The webbed portion I36 and the lower portionof the spider I24 cooperate to provide a bag seat I38 encircled by a channel I48. (See Fig. 10.) The receptacle I82 has a mouth collar I42 of stiff paper including an outwardly folded flange I44 which is adapted to be received in the channel I40 to support the collar I42 with reference to the bag seat I38 while the delivery nozzle I46 is being moved into position to engage th collar I42 as shown in Fig. 10. The nozzle I46 forms one extremity of an elbow I48 the other end I50 of which is adapted to make connection with the upper end of the duct I26 when the combined cover and handleunit I52 is closed.

The latter unit is hinged to th spider I34 by means of the hinge I54 and latched in place by means of the latch I56. A' sealing ring I58, simiiar. to that described in connection with the preferred form of the invention, seals the coverhandle unit to the spider I 34 and seals the connection between the elbow I48 and the duct I28. The service cord I" is shown, in this form of the invention, entering the cleanerv through the wall of the barrel I I8.

In the operation of the cleaner shown in Figs.

6 to 10 inclusive, the suction of the fan H2 is applied through a filter disc I82 to the lower end of the chamber I28, ratifying the air therein and causing the air to flow upwardly through the tool I24, the ducts I22, and I28 and elbow I48, into the receptacle I22. The receptacle is maintained away from contact with the wall of the chamber I28 by the screen I20, so that the suction may be applied toall sides of the bag.

Removal of a filled receptacle and replacement of the same by a fresh r ceptacle is a tially the same as in the preferred form of the invention, the only diflerence being that it is necessary to fit the flange I44 into the channel I48 in applying the new receptacle. Thi having been done, the collar I42 is maintained in proper position to receive the nozzle I48.

We claim as our invention:

In a suction cleaner, a barrel section and a handle section, pivotal means Joining said sections to form an elongated slender body having an external surface of substantially continuous streamlined contour, a cleaning tool attached to said barrel section and forming one extremity of the body, said handle section terminating in a handle constituting the other extremity of said body, said barrel section including a passage for conveying a dust laden air stream from said tool to said handle section, and including a dust receptacle chamber lying alongside said passage.-

said chamber having a mouth disposed at the junction with said handle section, said handle section including a casting providing an inverted U-shaped conduit for conveying said dust laden air stream from said air passage to said chamber mouth, said handle section also including as a separate member a dome-shaped member secured to said casting and terminating in a reduced tubular handle portion, and a dust collecting eceptacle in said chamber, having a mouth secured between said chamber mouth and the outlet of said conduit, said handle section comprising an end ring which constitutes the means for joining the handle section to the barrel section and which embodies said conduit, and a bellshaped cap portion the large end of which is joined to said ring and the small end of which is extended to form said handle.

, JOSEPH LYNN H. LA'I'IA. 

